The season is just getting underway for the Walnut Creek Little League in Clive. On Monday, the little sluggers were learning basics while the bigger kids were playing an early spring game on the next field over.

It takes a lot of water to keep it green throughout the summer and a lot of money, more than it was necessary it turns out.

“When we would compare what we were spending to other baseball facilities around town it seemed like we were spending a lot more money,” said league president Mike Young.

Turns out, they were.

Clive officials agreed to analyze their records and found the nonprofit baseball league had been overcharged for the water they use to water their fields for 10 years.

Clive Assistant City Manager Matt McQuillen said it ended up being about $69,000.

Only one of the two water meters at the facility is supposed to be adding up the water usage while the other subtracts.

“Both meters were adding on top of each other,” Young said.

So instead of one meter subtracting from the other, it was adding.

Now, the city is issuing the league a $69,000 credit.

“This is literally half of an annual year's revenue that we're getting all at once in a lump sum,” Young said.

So, what do they plan to do with all that money? Bathrooms with running water.

“Porta potties are not the most popular thing to have at a facility,” Young said.

The $69,000 should pay roughly half the bathroom project.

Young said Clive fixed the problem immediately. He also said the league is a big fan of Clive since it’s the only city that give the league any funding, even though their players come from several cities, mostly Waukee.